Sheriff Gary Raney

Gary Raney retired from the Ada County Sheriff’s Office in Boise (ID) after serving for more than 30 years, the last 10 as the elected sheriff. He became nationally known for having innovative ideas, establishing model practices for data-driven decisions, and for creating an organizational culture with one of the lowest rates of force and one of the highest rates of employee satisfaction.

Gary earned a bachelor’s degree, and later a master’s degree, from Boise State University. He also graduated from Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff & Command; the FBI National Academy; and the National Executive Institute, a prestigious international law enforcement leadership consortium. He has been an adjunct professor for Boise State University and Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety. He remains active in learning and helping others learn through his involvement in the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriff's Association, the American Jail Association, the Police Executive Research Forum and a variety of ad hoc groups focused on improving criminal justice processes and outcomes.

Gary’s ideas and practices have been recognized by many, including the U.S. Attorney General, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and the US Congress.

Some of his personal and professional accomplishments include:

US Attorney General appointment, then elected vice-chair, of the board of the National Institute of Corrections - the federal agency that guides best practices for jails and prisons

Consultant on behalf of the US Department of Justice, assessing and recommending practice and process improvements in criminal justice organizations